Photo by Valerie Lemke
The first weekend of fall is upon us. The air is still warm and there is much fun to be had. Watch a play, listen to music indoors or out, rally together for some local businesses, do a little birdwatching, tour a slough, and more.
You can even sample some coffee that you will definitely need if you do everything on this list. Well, maybe it would be best to just pick a few and go from there.
You’re in for a great first autumn weekend, Santa Cruz style.
See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:
Friday
Mountain Community Theater Presents “9 to 5, The Musical”
When: 9/22 – 9/23 at 8:00 pm
Where: Park Hall, Ben Lomond
Cost: $20-25
Based on the book and film with music and lyrics originally by Dolly Parton. This musical comedy about three women who plot an interesting revenge on their unscrupulous boss is sure to keep you entertained. Rated PG13.
Banff Mountain Film Festival Radical Reels Tour
When: 9/22 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Rio Theatre
Cost: $18
Grab a seat and hold on tight! Don’t miss this presentation of some of the most exciting sports adventure films from the annual Banff Mountain Film Festival.
The 2017 Downtown Party
When: 9/22 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Downtown Santa Cruz
Cost: $100
Meet the mayor, police chief and Downtown Association members at this event to celebrate Santa Cruz businesses. Hear about the successes and ongoing vision while enjoying music, food and drinks with fellow community members.
Rancho Del Mar Rally
When: 9/22 – 9/24 During Store Hours
Where: Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center
Cost: Free to meet. Customers choose how to support the businesses.
Time to rally up some support for these local businesses that are affected by the center remodel. Come out for an evening of good food and holiday shopping and give our local retailers some appreciation for their years of service.
Lawrence and Clare
When: 9/22 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: lille aeske Art House & Boutique (Boulder Creek, CA)
Cost: $10 – $20 (pay-what-you-will)
How about a little Folk music and music for folks? This group was influenced by many types of music such as blues, bluegrass, soul and ragtime. Kick your weekend off with a relaxing musical start.
Also on Friday
- Kevin Morby @ The Catalyst
- Willie Watson plus Mapache @ Don Quixote’s
- Ten O’Clock Lunch Band @ Crow’s Nest
- Broken English + Flor De Caña @ Moe’s Alley
- The Harmed Brothers, Dan Juan, M Porter Lockwood @ The Crepe Place
- Gareth Emery @ The Catalyst
- Live Again @ Severino’s
- Jewel Theatre Presents: ALL MY SONS @ The Colligan Theater
- The Song In Us @ Radius Gallery
- Hands on History: An Immigration Story with Joaquín Barreto @ Secret Garden
- Fall Campout – Benefiting The American Cancer Society @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Wine and Watercolor @ New Leaf Community Markets
- Watsonville Farmers Market @ Downtown Watsonville
- Friday Night Live: Rivervale @ Abbott Square
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Coffee Talk and Crafts @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.Saturday
13th Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival
When: 9/23 at 6:30 am
Where: 275 Main Street Watsonville, CA
Cost: $10-30
Have you ever wanted to find out more about the birds of the Central Coast? New and experienced bird enthusiasts will enjoy this day out. Listen to Keynote Speaker, Peter Pyle and go on bird walks at a few different locations. Register online.
12th Annual fashionARTSantaCruz
When: 9/23 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $20 – $35.50
A fashion show of wearable art hits the runway at the Civic. Local creative artists display their talents and latest unique designs. Reserve your seats today.
Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival
When: 9/23 – 9/24 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Meadows
Cost: $65 – $120
A weekend festival of musical fun in the meadow for the entire family. Food, beer, wine and craft vendors will be on site. Bring a blanket, chair and a maybe a friend or three.
Music At Skypark
When: 9/23 from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free
Skypark’s last free summer concert in the series is here. Come and see local favorites Extra Large and The Joint Chiefs Band for an afternoon of music. Food and drink purchases support the local schools.
Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House
When: 9/23 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Elkhorn Slough Reserve
Cost: Free
Celebrate National Estuaries Week with Elkhorn Slough at this free event for all ages. Enjoy a day of nature walks, discussions with scientists, conservationists, activities for the family and more.
Talk & Tasting: For the Love of Coffee
When: 9/23 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Cost: $12 Adult; $10 Children; $5 off for Museum Members
You may love coffee so much that you don’t know how you could live without it, but have you ever learned how it gets from field to your cup each day? Find out how each precious bean makes it to your morning cup and sample some of Alta’s coffee, too.
Also on Saturday
- Yoga + Beer at Shanty Shack Brewing @ Shanty Shack Brewing – SOLD OUT
- The Redlight District – Single Release @ The Catalyst
- Bluegrass Extravaganza!Featuring Windy Hill, A.J. Lee with Blue Summit, and Mountain Drive @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Matt Hartle’s get down and groove to mid 70’s Jerry Garcia Band and more @ Don Quixote’s
- Esoteric Collective: Jazz of the 40’s to 60’s @ Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn
- Extra Large @ Crow’s Nest
- Marshall Crenshaw y Los Straitjackets @ Moe’s Alley
- Noctooa, Ehnahre, Cosmic Reef Temple @ The Crepe Place
- Patio Acoustic’s with Dave Muldawer @ Severino’s
- Bonedrivers (Roadhouse Style Rock ‘n’ Blues) @ Severino’s
- Gold Town Burlesque presents: SWING on the WILD SIDE w/ Androyd @ The Blue Lagoon
- Shenandoah Davis + Nick Jaina @ lille aeske Art House & Boutique (Boulder Creek, CA)
- Lydia Joy – Acoustic Blues and Originals @ The Blue Lounge
- Rising Stars concert @ First United Methodist Church – Santa Cruz
- ResistFest @ Abbott Square and the MAH
- Jewel Theatre Presents: ALL MY SONS @ The Colligan Theater
- Sea Otter Awareness Week @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Fall Campout – Benefiting The American Cancer Society @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s @ Seascape Beach Resort
- City of Watsonville Nature Walks @ City of Watsonville – Nature Center
- Animal Shelter Relief Rescue Adoption Fair! @ Pet Pals Discount Pet Supplies
- Author & Editors: Butting Heads or Holding Hands? @ Santa Cruz Public Libraries – Aptos Branch
- Aptos Farmers Market @ Aptos Farmers’ Market
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market @ Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market
- Westside Farmers Market @ Westside Farmers’ Market
- Farm Discovery’s Pollinate: Fall Feast in the Fields @ Live Earth Farm
- Sempervirens Falls Hike @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walk @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Snakes Alive! @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Hides and Tallow @ Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Guided Redwood Grove Walk @ Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.Sunday
JACOB’S HEART PRESENTS: THE 19TH ANNUAL KIDRAGEOUS GOLDEN CARNIVAL
When: 9/24 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: Watsonville City Plaza: 358 Main St, Watsonville, CA 95076
Cost: Live Entertainment is FREE/Activity Wristband: $15/Activity Tickets: $1 each
Support this important local nonprofit at their 19th annual fundraising carnival. Each booth and activity honors a child or memory of a local child with cancer. Entertainment for kids, activities, bounce houses and more.
Oktoberfest Santa Cruz
When: 9/24 from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Messiah Lutheran Church
Cost: Admission Free; Food Tickets $15
Celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic German food, beer, wine, and Polka dancing for the entire family. Activities and fun for all ages.
Paws in the Park Returns to the Riverwalk
When: 9/24 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: San Lorenzo River Walk
Cost: Free
Bring your favorite canine out for a 1.5 mile leisurely walk along the Riverwalk. Meet other local dogs and their owners while enjoying this dog-friendly community space. Meet behind PetSmart in Gateway Plaza.
Also on Sunday
- Goldlink @ The Catalyst
- An Evening With Jim Lauderdale @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
- Corky Siegel blues legend of Siegel – Schwall and Matthew Santos, voice of the platinum selling hit “Superstar” @ Don Quixote’s
- Open Bluegrass Jam @ The Crepe Place
- THE NTH POWER + The Humidors @ Moe’s Alley
- The Box @ The Blue Lagoon
- Live Comedy @ Crow’s Nest
- Joe Ferrara @ The Cats Restaurant & Bar
- Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tour @ Wilder Ranch State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Redwood Grove Loop Walk @ Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sunday Seaside Crafts @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Sea Otter Awareness Week @ Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Santa Cruz Triathlon – 2017 @ Beach Street
Featured Upcoming Event
October means harvest time at the UCSC Farm, and it’s time to celebrate. Enjoy live music, crafts, food and hayrides. Do you make the best apple pie and want to enter it into a contest? Here’s your chance! Enjoy workshops and a farm tour, too.
What: Fall Harvest Festival at the UCSC Farm
Where: UCSC Farm
When: 10/01/2017 at 11:00am – 5:00pm
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